Phonics at Hartley
Early Reading
Early Reading
We believe in the importance of getting a great start in early reading, which is the foundation of learning throughout school. At Hartley, children start to learn to read using a highly successful phonics scheme called Read, Write Inc or RWI, beginning in Early Years and continuing on until they have moved through the entire programme, which usually takes until Year 1 or Year 2.
What is RWI and how can I support my child?
This video is a great place to start, as well as this section of the RWI website. Click the sections below to see what Set 1, 2 and 3 sounds are, as well as 'red words'.
All children in Reception and Year 1 are being taught these sounds but it takes lots of practice to learn them, so you can use these ideas every day or as often as you can. Here is a video showing you all the Set 1 sounds (watch up until 1 minute 15 seconds). Practice along with the video and then use this guide and linked sheets and the sound cards to practise reading them speedily.
Red words are words that aren't decodable, or not with the sounds that children currently have. They need be learned as a whole words rather than sounding them out. There are lots of red words we have to learn - here is a list of 15 early words to practise reading and spelling. You can write them onto cards and get your child to sight read them. They can also copy them out a few times each.
Some children in Reception and Years 1 & 2 will have been taught Set 2 Sounds. If your child is in ‘green group’ ‘purple group’ or ‘pink group’ then they need to practise these sounds. Use the videos, guides and sheets here.
Some children Reception and Years 1 & 2 will have been taught Set 3 Sounds. If your child is in ‘pink group’, ‘orange group’, ‘yellow group’, ‘blue group’, ‘grey group’ or ‘literacy group’ then they can practice their Set 2 and 3 sounds here. It is really important that children continue to practise their Set 2 sounds alongside learning their Set 3 sounds. Use the videos, guides and sheets here.